Crape-myrtle named Summer Fantasy

ABSTRACT

The subject of the present disclosure is a new and distinct variety of crape-myrtle, named `Summer Fantasy`, which is characterized by its bright red purple blooms and its dwarf habit. The new variety is hardy, well-branched and produces a heavy quantity of blooms.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of crape-myrtle, the variety being primarily characterized by bright red purple blooms.

The variety is further characterized by:

Flat-spreading performance having a (hill spread)/(height) ratio of about 2.5, disc-shaped form, dwarf habit (about 30 cm height), heavy branching habit and an extremely numerous amount of blooms.

The new crape-myrtle variety originated in 1985 as a seedling resulting from the crossing of a pair of crape-myrtle plants. The seed parent was `Summer And Summer`, Lagerstroemia indica L., which was bred at a research farm in Uchino-cho, Niigata-shi, Niigata-ken, Japan, and the pollen parent was `Issai-Sarusuberi`, Lagerstroemia indica L. This crossing was done at the same research farm described above in 1984 with the object of producing plants having flowers of different colors from the seed parent, `Summer And Summer.` The seed parent, `Summer And Summer` has been registered under No. 1733 on Aug. 18, 1988, under the Japanese Seed and Seedlings Law. The pollen parent, `Issai-Sarusuberi` is a well-known and popular crape-myrtle plant and is under no protection, such as a patent or plant variety protection certificate. In 1986, the asexual reproduction of this selected seedling was done by me and under my direction at the same research farm by green shoot cutting. Then, observations were made for 2-4 years of grown plants during 1987-1989. The continuous asexual propagation has demonstrated that the novel characteristics would hold true from generation to generation, appear to be firmly fixed, and are transmitted without change through succeeding propagations.

The new crape-myrtle variety differs from its seed parent and pollen parent in the following ways.

    ______________________________________                                                     New Variety   Seed Parent                                                      Summer Fantasy                                                                               Summer And Summer                                    ______________________________________                                         Tree-Performance                                                                           flat-spreading                                                                               flat-spreading                                       (hill spread)/                                                                             2.5           3.0                                                  (tree height) ratio                                                            Tree form   disc          disc                                                 Tree height (cm)                                                                           dwarf (27.8)  dwarf (20.0)                                         Branching Habit                                                                            heavy         medium                                               (number of branches                                                                        11.0          5.8                                                  on a main trunk)                                                               Number of   numerous      medium                                               inflorescences                                                                             8.5           5.0                                                  per one cluster                                                                Number of   numerous      medium                                               flowers per 67.8          32.0                                                 one inflorescence                                                              Petal color bright red purple                                                                            strong purplish                                                  JHS Color Chart                                                                              pink                                                             9506 or RHS   JHS Color Chart                                                  Colour Chart 63B,                                                                            9205 or RHS Colour                                               67B, 71C      Chart 68A, 68B, 73A                                  ______________________________________                                                                Pollen Parent                                                                  Issai-Sarusuberi                                        ______________________________________                                                Tree-Performance                                                                               upright                                                        (hill spread)/(tree height)                                                                    0.43                                                           ratio                                                                          Tree form       obovoid                                                        Tree height (cm)                                                                               shrub (130.0)                                                  Branching Habit sparse 4.4                                                     (number of branches on a                                                       main truck)                                                                    Number of inflorescences                                                                       little                                                         per one cluster 3.5                                                            Number of flowers per                                                                          medium                                                         one inflorescence                                                                              26.0                                                           Petal color     vivid red purple                                                               JHS Color Chart                                                                9507 or RHS                                                                    Colour Chart 71B                                        ______________________________________                                    

The new crape-myrtle variety may be reproduced with ease by stem cuttings. Just after root taking, young shoots come out and spread as growth proceeds. The variety becomes to show full flat-spreading in tree performance and disc shape in tree form, before appearance of flower buds. The tree height of an adult tree is about 30 cm and the hill spread is about 2.5 times the tree height.

The variety shows heavy branching habit and bears numerous flowers and buds. The blooming period of the variety is long, from July to October in Niigata-shi, Niigata-ken, Japan and in similar climate elsewhere. The variety also shows a good cold hardiness and can overwinter well without being supported with a pole even in a snowy area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings show typical specimens of the new variety in color as nearly true as is reasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of this character. In each instance, the photographs were taken at the same research farm noted above in August, 1989.

FIG. 1 is a complete view of the new variety together with a scale wherein the dwarf habit of the new variety is apparent.

FIG. 2 is a closer view of a blooming peduncle showing the characteristics of the flower and immature fruit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the characteristics of the new variety as observed at the same research farm noted above. Color designations are made by reference to J.H.S. Color Chart (Japan Horticultural Scale), and R.H.S. Colour Chart (Royal Horticultural Society) except where common terms of color definition are employed.

Plant:

Tree performance.--Flat-spreading with a (hill spread)/(tree height) ratio of about 2.5.

Tree form.--Disc type.

Tree height.--Dwarf, about 25 to 35 cm in adult trees.

Stem:

Type of trunk.--Bush.

Trunk color.--Purplish brown.

Young bud.--Brown in color.

Branches.--Color: Reddish brown. Thickness: 4.0 mm (ave. of 50 shoots). Appearance of branch edge: Obvious. Branching habit: Heavy, about 11.0 branches in average on a main trunk. Internode length: Short, about 1 to 2 cm.

Foliage:

Average leaf length.--About 6.3 cm.

Average leaf width.--About 3.1 cm.

Leaflets (lamina).--Broad lanceolate-shaped.

Top of leaflets.--Acute-shaped (72.3°).

Base of leaflets.--Acute-shaped.

Margin.--Entire.

Wave of leaflets.--None.

Thickness of leaflets.--0.4 mm (ave. of 50 leaflets).

Color of immature leaflets.--Vivid yellow green (J.H.S. Color Chart 3506) or (R.H.S. Colour Chart 144B).

Color of mature leaflets.--Upper side is dark green (J.H.S. Color Chart 3716) or (R.H.S. Colour Chart 137A, 137B, 147A), under side is dull yellow green (J.H.S. Color Chart 3514) or (R.H.S. Colour Chart 146B, 147B, 148B).

Mottling.--None.

Color change.--Red.

Luster.--Weakly-glossy finish.

Hair.--None on both the upper surface and the under surface.

Petiole.--Pale green in color. Length: 1.0 to 1.1 mm.

Flower:

Bud.--Trapezoidal.

Cluster.--Conic-shaped, upward, broad and long.

Inflorescence.--Numerous, 8.5 on average per one cluster.

Semiinflorescence.--4 to 8 per the lowest inflorescence.

Number of flowers.--67.8 on average per one inflorescence.

Shape or form.--Single, six petals.

Fragrance.--Present, slight.

Pedicel.--4.5 to 5.5 mm. length.

Appearance of calyx tube edge.--Developed.

Petals:

Color.--Overall bright red purple (J.H.S. Color Chart 9506) or (R.H.S. Colour Chart 63B, 67B, 71C) with no variation and slight fading in tone.

Shape.--Orbiculate with strong wave.

Petal base.--Bright red purple (J.H.S. Color Chart 9506) or (R.H.S. Colour Chart 63B, 67B, 71C) in color, and the length of the claw is 8 to 9 mm.

Reproductive organs:

Style.--Strong red.

Pistil.--One.

Filaments.--Pale red.

Anthers.--Yellow.

Stamens.--30 to 35 arranged around the pistil.

Fruit:

Shape.--Ellipsoid, 10 mm in length (ave. of 50 fruits) and medium in width, being rotundate on the base and top.

Color.--Green in immaturity, and changes to dark purple in maturity.

Growth:

Habit.--Dwarf, 25 to 35 cm height.

First foliage appears.--April.

Blooming term.--July to October.

Days for bearing flowers.--About 100.

Defoliation.--November.

Cold hardiness.--High.

Heat tolerance.--High.

Disease resistance.--High.

Pest resistance.--High.

Species designation: `Summer Fantasy` is designated as Lagerstroemia indica L. hybrid.

The present new variety can survive at a temperature as low as -15° C. and is resistant to Cercospora lythracearum Heald et Wolf, generally known as leaf blight.

The following additional descriptive botanical information is also provided:

Bloom diameter: 4.5 to 5.3 cm.

Petal size (width): 1.5 to 1.8 cm.

Persistence of individual blooms: One day from blooming, on the second day after blooming, the flower color begins to fade gradually.

Fertile Seeds: Are observed.

(i) Seed color.--Dark-grayish brown (J.H.S. Color Chart 1619) or (R.H.S. Colour Chart 200C).

(ii) Samara.--Seed winged at top.

(iii) Seed size.--Length: 6.3 mm. (avg. of 50 seeds). Width: 2.9 mm. (avg. of 50 seeds).

(iv) Number of seeds per fruit.--23 (avg. of 50 fruits).

Tree width: 69.5 cm. (avg. value of 50 plants).

As will be apparent to those skilled in horticultural science, the new variety as herein described may vary in slight detail due to climate, soil and cultural conditions under which the variety may be grown and the stage of growth. 

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of crape-myrtle plant, substantially as herein described and illustrated. 